Best public high schools in California
As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a ’96 commencement address at Wellesley College, “Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” If that’s the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.
It’s a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, public education is key: 49.4 million students enrolled in public pre-K-12 schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Of those, about a third were in high school, enrolled across about 23,500 public secondary schools nationwide.
For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these public high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to get into better school districts. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.
Stacker compiled a list of the 30 best public high schools in California using 2023 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students. School districts are provided when available; otherwise, the city is listed instead.
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#30. Del Norte High School
– Location: Poway Unified School District, CA
– Enrollment: 2,586 (26:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#29. Helix Charter High School
– Location: La Mesa, CA
– Enrollment: 2,462 (23:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#28. Preuss School UCSD
– Location: La Jolla, CA
– Enrollment: 853 (20:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#27. Mountain View High School
– Location: Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District, CA
– Enrollment: 2,316 (19:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#26. Granada Hills Charter
– Location: Granada Hills, CA
– Enrollment: 5,675 (26:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
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#25. Westview High School
– Location: Poway Unified School District, CA
– Enrollment: 2,351 (25:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#24. Oxford Academy
– Location: Anaheim Union High School District, CA
– Enrollment: 1,289 (25:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#23. Whitney High School
– Location: ABC Unified School District, CA
– Enrollment: 1,013 (26:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#22. High Tech Los Angeles
– Location: Lake Balboa, CA
– Enrollment: 372 (23:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#21. Middle College High School
– Location: Lodi Unified School District, CA
– Enrollment: 301 (27:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
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#20. Los Altos High School
– Location: Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District, CA
– Enrollment: 2,136 (19:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#19. Mt. Everest Academy
– Location: San Diego Unified School District, CA
– Enrollment: 227 (19:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#18. Girls Academic Leadership Academy: Dr. Michelle King School for STEM
– Location: Los Angeles Unified School District, CA
– Enrollment: 735 (19:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#17. Riverside STEM Academy
– Location: Riverside Unified School District, CA
– Enrollment: 662 (26:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#16. Palos Verdes Peninsula High School
– Location: Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, CA
– Enrollment: 2,340 (24:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
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#15. Torrey Pines High School
– Location: San Dieguito Union High School District, CA
– Enrollment: 2,649 (25:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#14. Soar High (Students on Academic Rise)
– Location: Antelope Valley Union High School District, CA
– Enrollment: 464 (33:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#13. Lowell High School
– Location: San Francisco Unified School District, CA
– Enrollment: 2,652 (22:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#12. The Science Academy STEM Magnet
– Location: Los Angeles Unified School District, CA
– Enrollment: 443 (25:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#11. Saratoga High School
– Location: Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District, CA
– Enrollment: 1,159 (21:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
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#10. University High School
– Location: Irvine Unified School District, CA
– Enrollment: 2,097 (25:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#9. Palo Alto High School
– Location: Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
– Enrollment: 2,010 (17:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#8. Orange County School of the Arts
– Location: Santa Ana, CA
– Enrollment: 2,217 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#7. University High School
– Location: Fresno, CA
– Enrollment: 487 (24:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#6. California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley
– Location: Duarte, CA
– Enrollment: 962 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
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#5. Academy of the Canyons
– Location: William S. Hart Union High School District, CA
– Enrollment: 395 (28:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#4. Canyon Crest Academy
– Location: San Dieguito Union High School District, CA
– Enrollment: 2,346 (28:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#3. Henry M. Gunn High School
– Location: Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
– Enrollment: 1,868 (17:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#2. Troy High School
– Location: Fullerton Joint Union High School District, CA
– Enrollment: 2,614 (23:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#1. California Academy of Mathematics & Science
– Location: Long Beach Unified School District, CA
– Enrollment: 667 (27:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
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By Stacker
how’s california academy of mathematics & science got the top spot? my son’s school didn’t even make the list Jon Dykstra. what’s so special about cams?
CAMS has a really strong focus on STEM subjects, and they get amazing results. It’s super competitive to get in though.
hey Jon Dykstra, just wonderin why Canyon Crest Academy is ranked so high? is it the science program or somethin else?
Hey, I go to Canyon Crest. It’s not just the science programs. Arts and tech are super strong here too.
i dont get why everyone freaks out about these rankings. half the time they don’t mean anything. what actually makes #1 so good, huh?
Sure, all these schools are great if you believe rankings matter. Real education is about learning to think, not memorizing stuff.
So excited to see Orange County School of the Arts on the list! It’s my dream school because I love acting. Hope I can get in!
heard of lowell high school before. it’s supposed to be real good or something. anyone knows why it’s ranked so low here?
Graduated from Troy High School and really credit it with giving me a great foundation in STEM. Glad to see it ranked so high!
Wow, super proud to see my school made the list! Go, Torrey Pines! We really have some amazing teachers and classes.
anyone knows if the cali school of the arts is good for future animators? asking for a friend
This is just elites showing off their fancy schools, regular schools don’t even get a mention, what a joke Jon Dykstra.
Super impressed with how high these schools are ranked. Makes you wonder about the correlation between high school and college success.
everyone always arguing bout which school is better. does it really matter? Isn’t what you learn more important than where?
That’s a deep question. Maybe it’s both? The environment can shape how we learn and view the world around us.
True, the environment is crucial, but self-motivation and individual effort play a significant role too.
Love that arts schools are getting recognition. Art changes lives, man.
It’s awesome to see schools that push creative boundaries gaining traction. I wonder how their programs influence students’ life choices and career paths down the line.
Does anyone know what criteria they use to rank these schools? Like, what makes some better than others?
It’s awesome to see schools getting recognized for their hard work! The ranking typically considers factors like academic performance, college readiness, graduation rates, and student-to-teacher ratios. It’s great to see schools being evaluated on criteria that truly reflect their commitment to education, just like back in the day when communities rallied for better schools.
Rankings are interesting, but it’s crucial to remember they are not the only measure of a school’s quality or its suitability for every student.
Look at all these smart schools. Meanwhile, my high school was famous for the pizza in the cafeteria.
I’m trying to understand the ranking. I want my future kids to have the best education possible. There’s so much to consider.
does anyone know if any of these schools have good hockey programs? my son’s trying to decide where to go.
Check out Palo Alto High. Heard good things about their sports programs.
oh wow another list of schools I never went to and my kids have no chance of attending. great stuff, really uplifting.
if only my school was on this list, then maybe i’d actually enjoy going to class haha
When looking for the best schools for our kids, it’s important to check out academics and extracurriculars. Those top schools really prepare students for their future!
These top public high schools in California really shine, not just for their strong academics but also for great extracurriculars that help kids grow. Living near such schools can boost property values too, which is a win-win for families looking for a solid community and a good investment!
Living near those schools is like hitting the jackpot! Plus, with strong sports teams and arts programs, kids really get a well-rounded experience. It’s all about setting them up for success while finding a fantastic place to call home!
I’m curious about the best public high schools in California. It’s great to see options like Helix Charter and Preuss School UCSD offering strong academics and extracurriculars. What other factors should families consider when choosing a school?
It’s great to see schools like Del Norte and Helix getting recognition! Plus, those specialized programs really boost college readiness. The communities around these schools are super supportive, too!